Liberty
Oh dear, the NC Education Lottery thinks it’s stimulating the economy, too
Not long ago I shook my head at a boast in a report by a government monopoly claiming that it is "Stimulating the State Economy." Turns out, it wasn't the…
State monopoly
Regulation
NC’s ABC system ‘one of the best examples of pure socialism’ in US
Not only is every aspect of the wholesale and retail distribution of distilled spirits heavily regulated by the government, but it is owned by either the state or local government…
Regulation
Daily Journal, “Enough is enough: It’s time to wake up and reform the way North Carolina controls liquor”
Carolina Journal‘s John Trump explains why ABC reform is important to North Carolina: North Carolina is a great place to work, live, do business. To worship, to study, and to…
Budget, Taxation & Economy
Ignorance of complex N.C. ABC rules doesn’t give state a pass
Carolina Journal ABC expert, John Trump, writes that the biggest obstacle facing reform is the public having a lack of knowledge on how the system works and who profits from…
Regulation
The ABC System and deadweight loss
In 2017, the ABC Commission reported a systemwide profit margin of 11.2 percent. In a competitive market, the profit margin for stores is 2.4 percent. Only 19 of the 428…
Research Brief
Budget, Taxation & Economy
The ABC System Wants to Repurpose While Keeping Tight Control
In 1908, North Carolina voters passed statewide prohibition in 1908, making North Carolina the first Southern state to institute prohibition. The 18th Amendment didn’t usher in Prohibition nationwide until 1919.…
Regulation
Wait, does the ABC Commission think it’s stimulating the state’s economy?
This isn't even the usual case of asserting a "stimulus" effect based on a questionable "economic impact" study. There's no study, just a flat assertion.
Liberty
Wine & Circuses
The Asheville Alcoholic Beverage Control Board’s warehouse is expanding from 18,000 to almost 26,000 sq. ft. On this blog, we have often stated booze sales and alcoholism tend to run…
Liberty
Lottery sales still depend upon economic desperation
View in your browser. "This goes a long way toward solving our problems," House Speaker Jim Black said of the North Carolina Education Lottery when legislation establishing it passed the…
Liberty
Only Government and the Mafia
The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office and the Waynesville Police Department confiscated 34 gambling/sweepstakes/gaming machines. The machines were deemed illegal according to current statutes. The problem with the machines is they…
Budget, Taxation & Economy
The Internet Sweepstakes Two-Step
My colleague Rick Henderson’s column on sweepstakes cafes is well worth a read today. Here’s a snippet: I’m not here to preach against gambling, or to call for an end…
Liberty
The Roll of Government
“I want you to leave it all to me. Go on, go back to the party.” – Vito Serious negotiations between the state and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians…